I believe Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing (Affordable homes, letters, August 23) is wrong in her statement that renting of affordable homes is the way forward.

I applaud her for recognising that York does need new homes that are affordable, but renting these properties is not the answer.

If 42 per cent of households' annual income is less than £20,000 per annum then I believe 50 per cent shared ownership is the answer. It is what I do myself.

I am a hard-working father of two children, but there was no way I could afford to get on the housing ladder in York.

Shared ownership allowed me to do this.

It allowed me to take pride in knowing that I could plan the future with a mortgage, giving me a platform to build on and allowing me to take responsibility for my finances. Shared ownership asks for some commitment from the purchaser but only commitment they can afford.

I think 70 per cent shared ownership, 30 per cent rented is the way forward.

John Andrews, Wenham Road, York.